Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini (Review)

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFade to BlueB&H Books (May 15, 2011)byJulie Carobini



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:

I grew up as Julie Navarro, in a family of truly right-brained individuals. Among us you’ll find writers, artists, and musicians, all of us willing to talk about the arts at a moment’s notice.



Over the years, I’ve published several hundred articles and stories in magazines and books, including Aspire, Decision, Expecting, Focus on the Family, Key Magazine and God’s Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life. As I wrote, I found a common theme cropping up: my family, the sea, and God’s timely work in the lives of those around me.



Maybe it was time to incorporate those interests into novels, I thought.



And so I did. Not once, but twice. Both times, God shut both doors and windows. So I continued to write and dream and raise my kids with Dan. Eventually I decided to write romantic seaside novels, and that’s where I found my voice.



When I’m not writing, marketing, or editing for others, I’m driving my kids around town, imagining that my mid-sized SUV is actually a sleek sailing yacht.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won't allow her ex-husband Len's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California's central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.



To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz's heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentent Len shows up eager to restore his family.



Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Fade to Blue, go HERE.

My Review:

I love this series. When I read them I feel like I am actually on the coast in Central California. The author has great descriptions in the book especially nature. This is book three but can stand alone. I enjoyed reading it but my most favorite of the series is book two. These books are meant to be savored so it took me a little longer to read. I read this one in one day. I could not wait to see what happened next to the characters. I love the title of the book and it fits perfect.  I recommend the whole series. :)

Sweet Waters: An Otter Bay Novel by Julie Carobini

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (August 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0805448733

About the Book:
There’s nothing left for Tara Sweet in landlocked Dexton, Missouri. Her fiancé called off their wedding, her sister is moving to Manhattan, and now her mother is marrying a much younger man with plans for a yearlong honeymoon in Europe. Tara believes a move back to her childhood home of Otter Bay, California, will help restore the fun and fearlessness she’s already missing in her twenties. Playing back memories of idyllic times spent there with her father along the majestic coast, a fairytale seems just around the corner.

Better make that a soap opera. After Tara finds a job in Otter Bay, makes friends at The Red Abalone Grill, and perhaps even a new flame in firefighter Josh, she begins to uncover shocking secrets about why her family left this heaven on earth all those years ago. And though she will have to question everything she has ever known, the faith that Tara must depend upon will be sweeter than ever before.

My Review:

Sweet Waters is Julie Carobini's third novel and she gets better with each one. This is the first in the Otter Bay series set in California. I read the book on my way to Gulf Shores, AL, last month but it is more than just a beach lit novel. It is hard to put it in one category. Anyway I loved the development of the characters as the book progresses and the light spiritual aspect in some of the characters lives. The author's descriptions make you feel like you are right there. My only gripe is the beginning felt a little slow but then the overall pace of the book is not fast. It is a book to be read and taken in slowly. So it is a sorta chick beach woman lit with a little romance. I look forward to rereading it and not just in the summer. I think it can be read and enjoyed any time of year. Recommended.

About the Author:
Julie Carobini is a self-described “beach-lit” novelist who writes women’s fiction for the young at heart. Her previous books include Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea. She has also published articles in Aspire, Decision, Expecting, and Focus on the Family magazines and received awards for her fiction and nonfiction from the National League of Pen Women. Julie lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura, California.

Winners

And the winner of "Truffles by the Sea" by Julie Carobini is Karen (number 12).
And the winner of "A Soldier's Family" by Cheryl Wyatt is Megan (number 4).
Congratulations! I will be giving away a copy of "The Next Level" by David Gregory soon. :)

"Truffles by the Sea" by Julie Carobini

*** Leave a comment on this post to win a copy of Truffles by the Sea.***
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Truffles by the Sea
Bethany House (February 1, 2008)
by
Julie Carobini

ABOUT THE BOOK:
If you read, Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri’s dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse—much worse—for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it’s time to turn things around.So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: “Be gullible no more!” With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop—and her life. But when legal troubles and quirky neighbors and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby’s motto and fledgling faith are put to the test.Can a young woman prone to disaster in both work and love finally find happily ever after?

My Review: I loved it. It was even better than the first!(which I loved) And the ending might just surprise you. :) I am also giving away a copy. Just leave a comment on this post.

"Truffles by the Sea is delightful! Julie Carobini has a new fan in this reader, and she's earned a spot on my keeper shelf." --Kay James, RomanceReaderatHeart.com

"This book is a delight to read, and the author has us rooting for Gaby from page one. This girl's never-say-die attitude is incredible, and her life is filled with all kinds of foibles. This is chick lit with heart – about so much more than finding a man.... While keeping the light chick lit tone, this book satisfied while avoiding the tired old formulas. Just when I’m ready to give up on the genre, I stumble across an author who can write without relying on stereotypes." --Cara Putman, writerinterrupted.com

"I liked Julie Carobini's first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini's second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.... It's a great read for a cold winter day – you can curl up with the book, a nice fire and pretend you're the one by the sea." --Jill Hart, RadiantLit.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California.She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.

Julie left you all a special message:

To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three of your readers.All they need to do is drop by my blog http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they win!